dysosmia : Messages : 2219-2248 of 4133

Hi Julie,

My experience is similar to Karl. On average about 1 week I would say.

Best regards,

Adrian.

----- Original Message -----

From: Wuensch, Karl

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 4:36 AM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Prednisone

A few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the dose and the severity of the inflammation.

Cheers,

Karl W.

----- Original Message -----

From: Julie

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 11:15 PM

Subject: [dysosmia] Prednisone

If prednisone has worked for anybody out there, how long did it take
to restore your taste/smell?

#2247

From: "Wuensch, Karl" <KWuensch@...>
Date: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:36 am
Subject: Re: Prednisone

klwuensch

Offline

A few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the dose and the severity of the inflammation.

Cheers,

Karl W.

----- Original Message -----

From: Julie

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 11:15 PM

Subject: [dysosmia] Prednisone

If prednisone has worked for anybody out there, how long did it take
to restore your taste/smell?

#2246

From: "Julie" <bizniz2005@...>
Date: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:15 am
Subject: Prednisone

bizniz2005

Offline

If prednisone has worked for anybody out there, how long did it take
to restore your taste/smell?

#2245

From: "Ann" <christie5519@...>
Date: Sat Sep 9, 2006 3:31 pm
Subject: Re: Loss of Tase and Salty Taste with Burning Tongue

christie5519

Offline

You need to go to a center that specializes in these problems; bring
along your complete medical history along with records of the tests
you've had done so far.  Ask about the drug Klonopin (clonazepam).  I
have had burning tongue and a bitter taste (along with a sense of
smell disorder) These conditions seems to be linked although the
doctors don't know how exactly.  The Klonopin is the only drug that
helped me with the burning tongue/bad taste.

Good luck, I wouldn't waste any time in getting to UCONN.

Kind regards,
Ann Christie

--- In dysosmia@yahoogroups.com, "reacea529" <reacea529@...> wrote:
>
> I have had a salty taste in my mouth off and on, more on than off, for
> 6 months with loss of taste.  After seeing an ENT doctor, Neurologist,
> and Primary Care all tests including MRI, Nasal testing and smell and
> taste tests and vitamin blood tests all came back normal.  Except the
> taste which the doctor said was not completely gone.  I know when I am
> eating certain foods but can't get the taste of it.  Meat is terrible.
> Most foods taste like cardboard.  I was told that I had yeast at first
> in the mouth and was given antifungal medication but that didn't help.
> The second ENT Doctor gave me an antifungal rinse and that worked but
> when I finished it 2 weeks later it came back.  Now I am back to
> square one and am so depressed.  I have lost 13 pounds and no one
> understands what I am going through and that is why I need to hear
> about everyone's problem like mine.  My next step is to go to a Taste
> and Smell Clinic in Conn.   I live in Boston and have been seen by top
> notch doctors.  No one seems to know what caused this.  I hope someone
> can help me by talking about their similar problems.
>
> Thanks  Maria
>

#2244

From: "Lauren Adams" <laurenadams@...>
Date: Sat Sep 9, 2006 2:35 am
Subject: RE: Loss of Tase and Salty Taste with Burning Tongue

laurenadams17

Offline

Hi Maria,

Good decision to visit UCONN's Taste and Smell clinic. I was there in June and was very impressed with the comprehensive evaluation.

It was very satisfying to finally talk to a doctor who could understand what I was going through. I live in South Florida and the ENT's and my general physician have little education on nasal disorders. Hopefully Dr. LaFreniere at the UCONN center will be able to help!

Lots of luck!

From: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dysosmia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of reacea529
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 9:45 PM
To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [dysosmia] Loss of Tase and Salty Taste with Burning Tongue

I have had a salty taste in my mouth off and on, more on than off, for
6 months with loss of taste. After seeing an ENT doctor, Neurologist,
and Primary Care all tests including MRI, Nasal testing and smell and
taste tests and vitamin blood tests all came back normal. Except the
taste which the doctor said was not completely gone. I know when I am
eating certain foods but can't get the taste of it. Meat is terrible.
Most foods taste like cardboard. I was told that I had yeast at first
in the mouth and was given antifungal medication but that didn't help.
The second ENT Doctor gave me an antifungal rinse and that worked but
when I finished it 2 weeks later it came back. Now I am back to
square one and am so depressed. I have lost 13 pounds and no one
understands what I am going through and that is why I need to hear
about everyone's problem like mine. My next step is to go to a Taste
and Smell Clinic in Conn. I live in Boston and have been seen by top
notch doctors. No one seems to know what caused this. I hope someone
can help me by talking about their similar problems.

Thanks Maria

#2243

From: "reacea529" <reacea529@...>
Date: Sat Sep 9, 2006 1:44 am
Subject: Loss of Tase and Salty Taste with Burning Tongue

reacea529

Offline

I have had a salty taste in my mouth off and on, more on than off, for
6 months with loss of taste.  After seeing an ENT doctor, Neurologist,
and Primary Care all tests including MRI, Nasal testing and smell and
taste tests and vitamin blood tests all came back normal.  Except the
taste which the doctor said was not completely gone.  I know when I am
eating certain foods but can't get the taste of it.  Meat is terrible.
Most foods taste like cardboard.  I was told that I had yeast at first
in the mouth and was given antifungal medication but that didn't help.
The second ENT Doctor gave me an antifungal rinse and that worked but
when I finished it 2 weeks later it came back.  Now I am back to
square one and am so depressed.  I have lost 13 pounds and no one
understands what I am going through and that is why I need to hear
about everyone's problem like mine.  My next step is to go to a Taste
and Smell Clinic in Conn.   I live in Boston and have been seen by top
notch doctors.  No one seems to know what caused this.  I hope someone
can help me by talking about their similar problems.

Thanks  Maria

#2242

From: "reacea529" <reacea529@...>
Date: Sat Sep 9, 2006 12:59 am
Subject: Re: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

reacea529

Offline

--- In dysosmia@yahoogroups.com, "O'Hare, Mick \(RBI-UK\)"
<mick.o'hare@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Karl. Julie, I've already replied to you, let me know if you
didn't get the mail.
>
> Mick
>
> > ----------
> > From: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Wuensch, Karl L.
> > Reply To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Friday, September 8, 2006 5:11 AM
> > To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I can tell
sweet, salty, bitter
> >
> > The CT scan should have shown the problems that led to my anosmia.
This may be a case of "viral" anosmia. Mick is the local expert on that.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Karl W.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Julie Dahlem
> > To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 11:48 PM
> > Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I can tell
sweet, salty, bitter
> >
> >
> >
> > I have been to the ENT/Head & Neck Dept at Kaiser. They took a CT
scan and everything seemed "normal". Since I am going back to my primary
doc tomorrow, do you have any suggestions? Should I request to back to
the ENT?
> >
> > Thanks for your advice!
> >
> > "Wuensch, Karl L." KWuensch@... wrote:
> >
> > Good description of the experience of flavor without olfaction.
Whether you doc will be able to appreciate this or not is hard to say.
You probably need to see an ENT who has some appreciation of the causes
of and symptoms of anosmia. There is a good chance that the problem can
be corrected, but don't expect an instant or an easy cure.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Karl W.
> >
> > Been there, done that.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Julie Dahlem
> > To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:31 PM
> > Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Help! I can't taste/smell and Kaiser can't
help me :(
> >
> > Do you have these symptoms too: Everything has no taste, although I
can tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I eat a cupcake, I can taste that
the frosting is sweet. What I can't taste is that the frosting is "cream
cheese" or "vanilla" or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have
eaten popcorn that was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I
have a doctor appt tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?
> >
> >
> > .
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> r===================== DISCLAIMER ======================
> This message is intended only for the use of the person(s)
> (\"Intended Recipient\") to whom it is addressed. It may contain
> information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly
> any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this
> message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended
> Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is
> strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please
> contact the sender as soon as possible.
>
> Reed Business Information Ltd. and its subsidiary companies
> Tel: +44 (0)20 8652 3500
>
> =======================================================
>

#2241

From: "reacea529" <reacea529@...>
Date: Sat Sep 9, 2006 1:03 am
Subject: Re: Proposal for possible formal website and forums

reacea529

Offline

--   - In dysosmia@yahoogroups.com, "Adrian Cooper" <adrian@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> My name is Adrian Cooper.
>
> I became anosmic about 4 years ago after what I suspect was a
virus of some
> sort. I also mostly lost my sense of smell.
>
> My doctor referred me to an ENT consultant, I am located in the
British
> Isles, who simply wasn't interested in anything but surgery. He
wasn't even
> able to tell me what he intended to operate on! My experience with
> consultants generally is that surgery is their answer to
everything.
>
> My doctor is very cooperative and prescribes me courses of
Prednisolone,
> Predisone to our US friends, which resptores my smell to about 50%
to 75%. I
> have also had two courses of kenalog which had zero effect.
>
> I believe that a certian level of steroid is required to have the
required
> effect, and kenalog, being systemic, does not reach the required
level. I am
> going to suggest a course of Prednisolone followed by kenalog as a
> maintenance regimen next.
>
> Anyway; that is the introduction.
>
> My business is Internet services and I would like to setup a
website and
> formal forums for these groups. A forum is much more visual, can
be searched
> on a keyword, and keeps spammers away.
>
> Along with that I would like to create an entire resource as a
form of
> knowledge base. There is alot of valuable information being shared
here.
>
> I will do this at my own expense. My main issue is time. My day is
18 hours,
> 7 days per week, and I am the single parent of my 3 teenage sons,
and have
> been for the last 11 years.
>
> If I setup this resource I would require assistance by way of forum
> moderators etc.. I also intend to make the main website a content
management
> system so admins can login and add content without any technical
knowledge.
>
> I have mentioned this to Mick and Karl who thought it was a good
idea.
>
> So your reactions please along with any possible volunteers.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Adrian.
>I would like to be a part of this and help out.

Maria

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2240

From: "lemlair" <lemlair@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 10:46 pm
Subject: Re: Proposal for possible formal website and forums

lemlair

Offline

Sounds like a great idea.

I'm UK too, dysosmia since January after a vomitting bug. Now I get a
chemically smell or else no smell. The doc gave me beconase which has
not helped, I haven't been back since. Have also tried saline lavage.

It would be great to be able to have all the information about the
condition with everyone's experiences collated and searchable. Hope
you find time to put your idea into action.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2239

From: "Julie" <bizniz2005@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 8:39 pm
Subject: Re: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

bizniz2005

Offline

So I went back to the doctor today....

After much reluctance, my doctor prescribed theophylline 200mg 2x
per day, prednisone on a tapered dose starting on 60mg for 3 days
down to 10 mg on the 18th day.

She also ordered an MRI for my brain and a full blood test.
Hopefully, this will work.



--- In dysosmia@yahoogroups.com, "O'Hare, Mick  \(RBI-UK\)"
<mick.o'hare@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Karl. Julie, I've already replied to you, let me know if
you didn't get the mail.
>
> Mick
>
> > ----------
> > From:  dysosmia@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Wuensch, Karl
L.
> > Reply To:  dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent:  Friday, September 8, 2006 5:11 AM
> > To:  dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject:  Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I
can tell sweet, salty, bitter
> >
> >     The CT scan should have shown the problems that led to my
anosmia.  This may be a case of "viral" anosmia.  Mick is the local
expert on that.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Karl W.
> >
> >  ----- Original Message -----
> >  From: Julie Dahlem
> >  To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> >  Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 11:48 PM
> >  Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I
can tell sweet, salty, bitter
> >
> >
> >
> >  I have been to the ENT/Head & Neck Dept at Kaiser. They took
a CT scan and everything seemed "normal". Since I am going back to
my primary doc tomorrow, do you have any suggestions? Should I
request to back to the ENT?
> >
> >  Thanks for your advice!
> >
> >  "Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@...> wrote:
> >
> > 	 Good description of the experience of flavor without
olfaction.  Whether you doc will be able to appreciate this or not
is hard to say.  You probably need to see an ENT who has some
appreciation of the causes of and symptoms of anosmia.  There is a
good chance that the problem can be corrected, but don't expect an
instant or an easy cure.
> >
> > 	 Cheers,
> >
> > 	 Karl W.
> >
> > 	 Been there, done that.
> >
> > 		 ----- Original Message -----
> > 		 From: Julie Dahlem
> > 		 To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> > 		 Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:31 PM
> > 		 Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Help! I can't
taste/smell and Kaiser can't help me :(
> >
> > 		 Do you have these symptoms too: Everything
has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I
eat a cupcake, I can taste that the frosting is sweet. What I can't
taste is that the frosting is "cream cheese" or "vanilla"
or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have eaten popcorn
that was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I have a
doctor appt tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?
> >
> >
> > 		 .
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >   _____
> >
> >  Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> r===================== DISCLAIMER ======================
> This message is intended only for the use of the person(s)
> (\"Intended Recipient\") to whom it is addressed. It may contain
> information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly
> any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this
> message or any of its content by any person other than the
Intended
> Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is
> strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please
> contact the sender as soon as possible.
>
> Reed Business Information Ltd. and its subsidiary companies
> Tel: +44 (0)20 8652 3500
>
> =======================================================
>

#2238

From: "Keith & Deb Chamberlain" <dandk@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 12:35 pm
Subject: Thanks Mena!

dandk4955

Offline

You have also been thru a lot! I am hoping this is just a sinus thing, I have never appreciated my sense of smell as much as I do right now! I have been doing that sinus wash and it seems to help for awhile and then the smell comes back although it is much lighter in quality now. It was so strong before it was awful but now it is pretty mild. It is scary when you have unknown health problems that is for sure! I am glad you are better!

Deb

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#2237

From: "O'Hare, Mick \(RBI-UK\)" <mick.o'hare@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 9:58 am
Subject: RE: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

mickohare

Offline

Thanks Karl. Julie, I've already replied to you, let me know if you didn't get
the mail.

Mick

> ----------
> From:  dysosmia@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Wuensch, Karl L.
> Reply To:  dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> Sent:  Friday, September 8, 2006 5:11 AM
> To:  dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject:  Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet,
salty, bitter
>
>     The CT scan should have shown the problems that led to my anosmia.  This
may be a case of "viral" anosmia.  Mick is the local expert on that.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Karl W.
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Julie Dahlem
>  To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
>  Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 11:48 PM
>  Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet,
salty, bitter
>
>
>
>  I have been to the ENT/Head & Neck Dept at Kaiser. They took a CT scan and
everything seemed "normal". Since I am going back to my primary doc tomorrow, do
you have any suggestions? Should I request to back to the ENT?
>
>  Thanks for your advice!
>
>  "Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@...> wrote:
>
> 	 Good description of the experience of flavor without olfaction.  Whether you
doc will be able to appreciate this or not is hard to say.  You probably need to
see an ENT who has some appreciation of the causes of and symptoms of anosmia. 
There is a good chance that the problem can be corrected, but don't expect an
instant or an easy cure.
>
> 	 Cheers,
>
> 	 Karl W.
>
> 	 Been there, done that.
>
> 		 ----- Original Message -----
> 		 From: Julie Dahlem
> 		 To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
> 		 Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:31 PM
> 		 Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Help! I can't taste/smell and Kaiser can't help me
:(
>
> 		 Do you have these symptoms too: Everything has no taste, although I can
tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I eat a cupcake, I can taste that the
frosting is sweet. What I can't taste is that the frosting is "cream cheese" or
"vanilla" or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have eaten popcorn that
was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I have a doctor appt
tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?
>
>
> 		 .
>
>
>
>
>
>   _____
>
>  Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
>
>
>
>
>


r===================== DISCLAIMER ======================
This message is intended only for the use of the person(s)
(\"Intended Recipient\") to whom it is addressed. It may contain
information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly
any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this
message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended
Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is
strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please
contact the sender as soon as possible.

Reed Business Information Ltd. and its subsidiary companies
Tel: +44 (0)20 8652 3500

=======================================================

#2236

From: "Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 4:11 am
Subject: Re: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

klwuensch

Offline

The CT scan should have shown the problems that led to my anosmia. This may be a case of "viral" anosmia. Mick is the local expert on that.

Best wishes,

Karl W.

----- Original Message -----

From: Julie Dahlem

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 11:48 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

I have been to the ENT/Head & Neck Dept at Kaiser. They took a CT scan and everything seemed "normal". Since I am going back to my primary doc tomorrow, do you have any suggestions? Should I request to back to the ENT?

Thanks for your advice!

"Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@cox.net> wrote:

Good description of the experience of flavor without olfaction. Whether you doc will be able to appreciate this or not is hard to say. You probably need to see an ENT who has some appreciation of the causes of and symptoms of anosmia. There is a good chance that the problem can be corrected, but don't expect an instant or an easy cure.

Cheers,

Karl W.

Been there, done that.

----- Original Message -----

From: Julie Dahlem

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:31 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Help! I can't taste/smell and Kaiser can't help me :(

Do you have these symptoms too: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I eat a cupcake, I can taste that the frosting is sweet. What I can't taste is that the frosting is "cream cheese" or "vanilla" or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have eaten popcorn that was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I have a doctor appt tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?

.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

#2235

From: Julie Dahlem <bizniz2005@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 3:48 am
Subject: Re: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

bizniz2005

Offline

I have been to the ENT/Head & Neck Dept at Kaiser. They took a CT scan and everything seemed "normal". Since I am going back to my primary doc tomorrow, do you have any suggestions? Should I request to back to the ENT?

Thanks for your advice!

"Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@...> wrote:

Good description of the experience of flavor without olfaction. Whether you doc will be able to appreciate this or not is hard to say. You probably need to see an ENT who has some appreciation of the causes of and symptoms of anosmia. There is a good chance that the problem can be corrected, but don't expect an instant or an easy cure.

Cheers,

Karl W.

Been there, done that.

----- Original Message -----

From: Julie Dahlem

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:31 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Help! I can't taste/smell and Kaiser can't help me :(

Do you have these symptoms too: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I eat a cupcake, I can taste that the frosting is sweet. What I can't taste is that the frosting is "cream cheese" or "vanilla" or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have eaten popcorn that was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I have a doctor appt tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?

.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

#2234

From: "Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 2:59 am
Subject: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter

klwuensch

Offline

Good description of the experience of flavor without olfaction. Whether you doc will be able to appreciate this or not is hard to say. You probably need to see an ENT who has some appreciation of the causes of and symptoms of anosmia. There is a good chance that the problem can be corrected, but don't expect an instant or an easy cure.

Cheers,

Karl W.

Been there, done that.

----- Original Message -----

From: Julie Dahlem

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:31 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Help! I can't taste/smell and Kaiser can't help me :(

Do you have these symptoms too: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I eat a cupcake, I can taste that the frosting is sweet. What I can't taste is that the frosting is "cream cheese" or "vanilla" or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have eaten popcorn that was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I have a doctor appt tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?

.

#2233

From: Julie Dahlem <bizniz2005@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 2:31 am
Subject: Re: Help! I can't taste/smell and Kaiser can't help me :(

bizniz2005

Offline

Do you have these symptoms too: Everything has no taste, although I can tell sweet, salty, bitter. Like if I eat a cupcake, I can taste that the frosting is sweet. What I can't taste is that the frosting is "cream cheese" or "vanilla" or "chocolate". It is sweet, with no flavor. I have eaten popcorn that was really salty. It tastes salty, but not buttery. I have a doctor appt tomorrow. What should I ask her to do for me next?

Adrian Cooper <adrian@...> wrote:

Hello Julie,

Welcome.

My own view is that you are experiencing an allergy based anosmia due to
your partial reaction to anti-histmines. This is my condition as well.

The allergy tests are fairly meaningless since it is impossible to test for
every known allergen, even if science knew what they are.

If it is allergy based it should respond fairly dramatically to a hefy
course of Prednisone. You must understand however that this can be a risky
path, although I have chosen to take it myself.

Please keep us informed, and we are all here to help.

Best regards,

Adrian.

>I lost my taste/smell around May or June. I first tried Benadryl
> which did not work. I finally called the doctor/Kaiser. He put me on
> Nasarel and Chlor-Trimeton. After about 2 weeks, I got PARTIAL
> relief. I could taste, somewhat, but not fully. I went back to the
> doctor. They told me to stay on the Nasarel and stop taking the
> pills. After one week, I lost it all again. I went back, they told
> me to take Claritin and Nasarel. While I was waiting for my partial
> relief to come back, I insisted on seeing the Head/Neck dept. They
> gave me a CT scan and that came back normal. I then insisted seeing
> the Allergy dept, since I was getting partial relief on anti-
> histamines. Meanwhile, I got a cold with a very runny nose and lost
> all taste/smell and for 3 days prior to the allergy appointment, I
> could not take any medications. They poked 35 potential allergens in
> my arm.....no allergies! The allergist has no recommendation for me
> except that he will prescribe any medication that I want to try
> since I was having some luck with the anti-histamines. As of
> yesterday, I have been put on a stronger/low-release version of
> Chlor-Trimeton and Flonase and I am waiting my 2 weeks for something
> to happen. I don't know what to do next? Does anybody have any
> advice? I am so sad, because I miss chocolate so much!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1�/min.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2232

From: "Mena" <fangirl@...>
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 1:27 am
Subject: Re: Thanks to everyone!

aquietconsci...

Online Now

> I must tell you, I have had 8 major spine surgeries and have to
take anti-seizure meds for severe neuropathy in my feet and legs so
if I am having any type of seizure activity I probably would not
even know it! I have been taking Neurontin and Topomax for quite
awhile but not because I have seizures!
>
> This has been quite an education reading from this site, last
night I read lots of old posts when I could not sleep. I did read
about washing your sinuses with salt and baking soda and warm water
so I have been doing that a couple of times a day using an ear
syringe and that has really toned down the smell a lot! Very
encouraging. It has also loosened up a lot of gunk in my sinuses so
I am blowing my nose lots.

Sounds like you have been through the wringer with surgeries etc. I
hope this smell thing turns out to just be something minor and
fixable. Hang in there, Deb!:) It's good to know the sinus wash is
helping - I've got to try that myself. I guess I should mention my
doc gave me Topomax about a year and a half/2 years ago because I
was trembling for no reason for quite a few months. At first they
gave me a tranq because I have generalized anxiety disorder but the
trembling was not going away...it lasted somewhere around 4 or 5
months I think and I went to a neuro and had nerve conduction
studies and all that and again, they found nothing. The trembling
went away on its own and I didn't need to actually take the topomax.
I even went to the Er about it and the doc said could be Lyme or
something like that. Argh. My insurance refused to cover another
brain scan. i'm still alive and I have no trembling now so I guess
things are ok. Eh, what can you do without health insurance?

take care Deb, I hope you feel much better soon and the smell goes
away!

Mena

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#2231

From: "Keith & Deb Chamberlain" <dandk@...>
Date: Thu Sep 7, 2006 11:59 pm
Subject: Thanks to everyone!

dandk4955

Offline

Wow, thanks for all of the great responses! I am getting my mail in digest form so I am going to respond in a group response! First of all I am now taking an antibiotic for 10 days to see if this is a sinus infection first. I asked my pharmacist about an ENT (we live in a rural area) and he asked me what was going on so I told him about this weird smell. He told me he had a similar thing a few years ago and it was a sinus infection and to give the medicine a chance first. So since I do have a headache and sore bones in my face and feel kind of puny I will do that first. If the medicine does not help in a few days I will be pursuing some other areas. This is unlike any sinus thing I have ever had. My doctor did explain not all sinus things are the same. This smell is awful though.

I must tell you, I have had 8 major spine surgeries and have to take anti-seizure meds for severe neuropathy in my feet and legs so if I am having any type of seizure activity I probably would not even know it! I have been taking Neurontin and Topomax for quite awhile but not because I have seizures!

This has been quite an education reading from this site, last night I read lots of old posts when I could not sleep. I did read about washing your sinuses with salt and baking soda and warm water so I have been doing that a couple of times a day using an ear syringe and that has really toned down the smell a lot! Very encouraging. It has also loosened up a lot of gunk in my sinuses so I am blowing my nose lots. The next few days should be interesting. I am very thankful to find so many knowledgeable folks and I appreciate your quick responses! Hopefully this will turn out to be nothing serious.

Deb

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#2230

From: "Wuensch, Karl L." <KWuensch@...>
Date: Thu Sep 7, 2006 3:35 pm
Subject: Re: Interesting Condition

klwuensch

Offline

Maybe a neural birth defect in their limbic systems (which control emotions)?

Cheers,

Karl W.

----- Original Message -----

From: Elizabeth A. Harrison

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 2:50 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Interesting Condition

Hi Karl

I know people who look like that all the time and it wasn't because of a birth defect.

Betty

----- Original Message -----

From: Wuensch, Karl L.

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 1:22 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] Interesting Condition

Reminds me of a case of a man who was born with facial features which made him look like he was always angry. As you can imagine, this ruined his social life. He tried to get his insurance to cover surgery to make him look not angry all the time, but they refused to do so.

Cheers,

Karl W.

----- Original Message -----

From: Ann

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 11:37 PM

Subject: [dysosmia] Interesting Condition

I also posted this link on the Parosmia site. This is an interesting
condition. It was featured on ABC tonight on their Primetime Medical
Mysteries program. I believe this is also called Fish Odor Syndrome,
I've mentioned this condition before on one of our sites. I missed
the program but here is the link to their website which describes
someone with this condition and also a link to more information about it.

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2287206&page=1

You may have to cut and paste this.

Ann Christie

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (11)

#2229

From: "Marjorie Wreggitt" <mwreggitt@...>
Date: Thu Sep 7, 2006 2:13 pm
Subject: Re: I am new and have questions!

mwreggitt

Offline

Hi Mena:

Please read what I just wrote to Deb. I hope it helps.

Since you already had the brain scan you don't need to

worry about a brain tumour.

Marjorie

----- Original Message -----

From: Mena

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 5:40 PM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] I am new and have questions!

I had a chemical smell that started up in early 2001 after I got home from a concert. I thought maybe it was something to do with the pot that people were smoking there (we left early because I couldn't stand the stuff in the air). It lingered for hours and then it came and went for days and days. I also would sometimes, though rarely, smell feces or urine for a few seconds. The chemical one was the one that lasted hours.

I finally went and got a brain scan and an EEG and both were normal. The smell would come back now and again and I just ignored it because I didn't have any other symptoms. I might add that I have had chronic sinus problems for a good ten years at least so maybe it was something to do with that but nothing was ever found wrong with me beyond just sinusitis. The chemical was almost like a freon type of smell, like they use in air conditioners.

Mena

On 9/6/06, Keith & Deb Chamberlain <dandk@...> wrote:

I have been having weird smells for a few weeks now and have wondered why. I kind of thought I was having a sinus infection except it felt different. This started in mid-July so I kind of treated it on my own. A couple of weeks later I started to smell what I could only describe as a fuel smell or chemical smell. It is awful. I smell it the whole time I am awake. From the time I open my eyes in the morning till I can finally go to sleep at night. It is very disconcerting.

I finally went to my family doctor yesterday and he put me on antibiotics for a sinus infection but I am not sure about this and then last night when I could not sleep I found this group.

Can anyone tell me more about having strange smells? I realize many of you have no smell at all but that is not my problem. I can smell and taste food just fine. It is this other smell that is bothersome. The doctor said if the antibiotic does not clear up the smell I will have to have an MRI of my head to rule out any seizure disorder but I do not have any seizures!

I am scared and confuses and looking for answers. If any of you can shed some light on this I would sure appreciate it!!

Deb

#2228

From: "Marjorie Wreggitt" <mwreggitt@...>
Date: Thu Sep 7, 2006 2:16 pm
Subject: Re: I am new and have questions!

mwreggitt

Offline

Ryan,

Please read what I wrote to Deb and Mena.

Btw, I'm not anosmic either.

Marjorie

----- Original Message -----

From: Ryan

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 9:40 AM

Subject: Re: [dysosmia] I am new and have questions!

First time poster here.

The original poster's symptoms are identical to mine. I have been smelling a nauseating mix of paint fumes and gasoline on and off for the past year or so. It lasts 2 or 3 days and then goes away just as suddenly as it came.

My doctor has given me an EEG and a CT Scan, but they came up with nothing. He has also given me Flonase and Nasonex, but they didn't help either.

I am going to follow Lauren's suggestion and get a referral to an ENT I think...

It is nice to know I am not alone.

Thanks,

-Ryan

----- Original Message ----
From: Lauren Adams <laurenadams@bellsouth.net>
To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2006 1:32:34 PM
Subject: RE: [dysosmia] I am new and have questions!

Hi Deb,

Please know, I do mean to cause you any alarm, but right before I lost my sense of smell, I kept smelling chemicals everywhere...especially when indoors. My ENT explained this often happens to patients with a loss of smell. THat is not to say that is your case....everyone is different. Some people live their entire live with phantom smells. Sometimes they disappear as quickly as they started. Just to be sure, you might want to see an ENT that specializes in nasal disorders. Unfortunately, most family doctors and the average ENT do not have much info on anosmia...that is why it is best to see a specialist...especially now, so that it does not get worse.

Best of luck!

Lauren

From: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dysosmia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith & Deb Chamberlain
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 10:46 AM
To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [dysosmia] I am new and have questions!

I have been having weird smells for a few weeks now and have wondered why. I kind of thought I was having a sinus infection except it felt different. This started in mid-July so I kind of treated it on my own. A couple of weeks later I started to smell what I could only describe as a fuel smell or chemical smell. It is awful. I smell it the whole time I am awake. From the time I open my eyes in the morning till I can finally go to sleep at night. It is very disconcerting.

I finally went to my family doctor yesterday and he put me on antibiotics for a sinus infection but I am not sure about this and then last night when I could not sleep I found this group.

Can anyone tell me more about having strange smells? I realize many of you have no smell at all but that is not my problem. I can smell and taste food just fine. It is this other smell that is bothersome. The doctor said if the antibiotic does not clear up the smell I will have to have an MRI of my head to rule out any seizure disorder but I do not have any seizures!

I am scared and confuses and looking for answers. If any of you can shed some light on this I would sure appreciate it!!

Deb

#2227

From: "Marjorie Wreggitt" <mwreggitt@...>
Date: Thu Sep 7, 2006 2:10 pm
Subject: Re: I am new and have questions!

mwreggitt

Offline

Hi Deb:

I'm curious....how did you kind of treat it on your own?

It sounds like you have phantosmia. Very rarely it can be caused by a brain tumour so you don't need to worry too much that it's life threatening if that's what you are afraid of.

Do you know if the terrible smell is bilateral or unilateral?

I have unilateral intermittent phantosmia and I can get rid of the horrid smell by using a product called hydrasense. In the US you can buy a similar product called simpy saline. You can buy these products at most pharmacies over the counter. I've never done this before, but I would think using a bulb syringe with sterile, salinated water would work equally as well. The most important thing is the technique. If you are interested I will explain how to use it. These products work for some people with phantosmia.

I also know of 3 doctors in the US that perform a surgery where they basically scrape the epithelium from the cribriform plate. I have spoken to a few people that have had the surgery and it got rid of the horrid smell. Of course there are risks with all surgery and one extra risk with this one is that you may lose your sense of smell permanently.

Some people have also been helped with antiseizure medication. I suspect the antiseizure medication works for people where the problem stems from the brain. You could be having a type of seizure and not know it.

Anyway, I hope this helps some.

Marjorie

----- Original Message -----

From: Keith & Deb Chamberlain

To: dysosmia@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 10:45 AM

Subject: [dysosmia] I am new and have questions!

I have been having weird smells for a few weeks now and have wondered why. I kind of thought I was having a sinus infection except it felt different. This started in mid-July so I kind of treated it on my own. A couple of weeks later I started to smell what I could only describe as a fuel smell or chemical smell. It is awful. I smell it the whole time I am awake. From the time I open my eyes in the morning till I can finally go to sleep at night. It is very disconcerting.

I finally went to my family doctor yesterday and he put me on antibiotics for a sinus infection but I am not sure about this and then last night when I could not sleep I found this group.

Can anyone tell me more about having strange smells? I realize many of you have no smell at all but that is not my problem. I can smell and taste food just fine. It is this other smell that is bothersome. The doctor said if the antibiotic does not clear up the smell I will have to have an MRI of my head to rule out any seizure disorder but I do not have any seizures!

I am scared and confuses and looking for answers. If any of you can shed some light on this I would sure appreciate it!!

Deb